You’re fucked up, and too hard to be with. I’m not going to stick around.
I’ve heard one variation after another.
Zack sat at the edge of the bed, nodding toward my hands. “What’s that?”
Frowning, I wondered if I’d started hallucinating again. Hoping Zack’s illusion would go away, I ran my fingertips over the rock, pausing when Zack touched my large digits with his smaller ones.
“Barry.”
One word, my name, and it had been enough to bring order back to my world. I did what I never thought I’d do—I stopped touching the seven rocks.
“Seven’s my lucky number. There were seven trees when I went down on you.”
Zack didn’t laugh or poke fun at my symptoms. He would know soon enough, even if Leila or my aunt and uncle hadn’t told him yet. Annoyed he hadn’t spoken, I asked, “Why are you still here, Zack? Most people would run away screaming.”
“I’m not most people.” Zack pried my hands open, lacing our fingers together. “It’s crazy, but I feel so comfortable with you. Peaceful. Same as when I head out to the lake to fish. Maybe we can both give it another try. Head back there and I’ll teach a city bear some tricks.”
Another try and I don’t think he means fishing for salmon.
I gave his fingers a squeeze. “You have a deal, human.”
“Good. I need to head back to work. I’ll come visit you again. I wrote down my number on the notepad by your desk.” Zack paused, “Barry, why is your room empty?”
“That’s who I am. Daunted?” I regretted my words immediately. Why frighten the only man brave enough to stare the real me down, the ‘me’ I hated, but Zack seemed insanely attracted to?
Zack did another astonishing thing. He stooped and stole a kiss from me, tentative and fleeting, a promise of more.
“You’re not empty, Barry.”
“What am I then?”
“You’re simply waiting for someone to help create new memories with.”
With those curious parting words, Zack left me to the comforting dark of my room. Growing up, I knew I’d always been different from the other boys. Preferring the indoors to the bewildering outside world, all my best memories stemmed from being in this room, entertaining myself. My aunt kept the room preserved, untouched, and I was grateful to her for that gift.
This space always invoked safety, comfort, but all I wanted to do at that moment was run out and tell Zack to come back.
Chapter Seven
Zack
“What’s going to happen next?” Barry asked once we cast his fishing line and mine.
“We wait.”
Barry growled and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“Be patient, bear. Remember our deal? I teach you to fish … and then we fuck.” Color rose to my cheeks at the bold words.
“I remember.” Barry gave me a look that all but screamed raw hunger. Was he thinking dirty thoughts? Remembering Barry holding me down, the dirt biting into my back, and his solid warm flesh caging mine had been enough to start my heart at a gallop. My dick woke in my jeans.
Down, boy. Screw fishing. I wanted Barry to ride me.
I adjusted my line and waited, watching the water. Trout darted away from our grasp. Barry reluctantly dragged his attention back to the water.
“Fucking fish,” I heard him mutter.
“Don’t curse the fish,” I chided.
A month had passed since I accidentally shot Barry on the bank of my favorite fishing spot. Since then, Barry had been coming to spend weekends with me. At first, he had dragged his best friend along. These days, Barry flew solo. Baby steps, but I couldn’t tell Barry how I looked forward to his visits, marked each day of the week until Saturday morning arrived.
We’d done nothing more than kiss and grope, but this Saturday, things would change—if we caught fish, anyway. Knowing Barry’s habits, seven fish would be the magical number. An hour passed. Two. Barry grumbling and scaring the fish away didn’t help.
Hell if I wasn’t getting any today. I’d waited long enough and so had Barry.
I recalled sitting in the comfy armchair of Barry’s room while I waited for him to wake up four weeks ago. A thin film of dust covered the surfaces, but Barry’s aunt left Barry’s things untouched. I caught glimpses of the awkward kid who grew into the man who stood before me, glowering at the fish. Not your typical were-bear, Barry said. He considered himself imperfect and flawed, but I loved him for it.
All his mounting frustration might amount to something good. Forget dinner. Barry could have me for main course and dessert.
“We’ve caught two,” I pointed out to cheer him up.
“You caught two,” Barry corrected.
“We did,” I corrected back.
Barry and I looked at each other for a long moment, forgetting the rods we gripped in our hands. If I had a choice, my hands would be curling around a different kind of stick. Jesus. Waiting out a month and going slow didn’t help my libido one bit. Judging by the ridge of Barry’s erection pressing against his jeans, he wanted to take me right there.
I knew him though. Catching two fish instead of seven wouldn’t just bug him. It would drive him up the wall.
“Are we an item then?” Barry asked, unable to disguise the hope in his voice. Not waiting for me to answer, he watched the water again. “I talked to my boss today.”
My insides clenched. Before me, Barry devoted and harbored a massive crush on one man in his entire life. How could I compete with that intense kind of love?
“And?” I ventured, not wanting him to hear the old hurt in my voice.
I couldn’t blame Barry for lingering on the past, when I had my own demons to combat. After Barry left for the city and our magical weekend came to an end, I found myself staring at the divorce papers on my desk. Today, I planned on telling Barry I finally signed them.
I stayed my tongue and waited.
“I told him I quit.”
Speechless, I tried opening my mouth but nothing came out.
“There’s no reason for me to stay at the Daily Grind. No prospects there.”
Work brain, say something supportive.
“Did you find a new job before quitting your old one?”
“I did.” Barry let out a whoop, startling me. “Fuck, baby. Something bit my line.”
Annoyed Barry had halted our serious conversation in favor of catching fish, I sighed. “Calm down, slowly, Barry. Don’t get too overexcited.”
He called me baby. Never mind fish. The term of endearment made me flush, kick-started my heart again.
“I’m trying. Come to papa bear, little fish,” Barry gritted the words, yanking back the rod with such force. “Is it salmon?”
“Trout, I think.” I grabbed the net lying on the dry rock next to me. “Slowly, that’s good.”
I scooped the fish into the net once Barry reeled it in.
“Good job, babe. Check that five-pound beauty out.”
Barry and I couldn’t stop grinning at each other like idiots.
“As I was saying, I found another job. Here.”
I nearly dropped the fish. Hell, I nearly slipped. Barry waded towards me, rod in one hand, the other steadying my arm. “Here, as in Ironwood?”
“Didn’t I just say that?” Barry asked, frowning.
“I needed confirmation.”
“Will this do?” Barry tugged me close, claiming my lips.
He kissed me, slow and tender, nibbling and sucking. My insides melted. My cock hardened, pressed so hard against my zipper it ached. Waiting for Barry every week was pure torture. This unexpected surprise caught me off-guard. Affirmed the fact both of us had moved on from our past. When he pulled away, I moaned into his mouth, wanting more.
“I signed my divorce papers too,” I blurted, feeling guilty for not telling him earlier.
“Did you? Good.” Barry gripped the back of my neck. He took my lips again to bestow a punishing kiss, full of tongue a
nd teeth. My grip on the net relaxed. The wiggling fish leapt out and I withdrew my mouth.
“Fuck!”
“Forget the fish.”
“Forget? Are you kidding me? We’re back to two and we both know that’s hardly enough to feed one hungry bear.”
“So sweet.” Barry caught my bottom lip with his teeth, enough to bruise and draw blood. I tasted copper and him, and knew I wouldn’t last long. “Fuck, baby. We’ve tortured each other enough, don’t you think?”
“But we need seven fish,” I protested.
“We’ll cook what we caught, divide it into seven.”
I glared at him, crossing my arms. “That’s it?”
“I’ll sate my hunger in other creative ways.”
I shivered at his knowing look. “Let’s get cooking then.”
Back on the bank, Barry started a fire while I de-boned the fish. I noticed my bear could build a decent fire now. Mine. I could call Barry that now. Grinning, I finished my task only to see Barry irritably pulling off his shirt. Jesus. Didn’t the stupid bear know how lethal a sight that was?
“Zack,” he called. I stared at the sweat gleaming on his skin. So yummy. I couldn’t wait to put my mouth all over that taut flesh while Barry gripped me with hands capable of breaking bones. Not that Barry would ever hurt me. “I’m going for a quick dip.”
Without another word, Barry stripped out of his jeans and boxers and waded into the river. By now, the sun shed its last rays, highlighting the crystalline droplets on Barry’s skin. Fish and knife forgotten, I took off my own shirt and fumbled for the button of my jeans.
“Took you long enough,” Barry said over his shoulder, not even looking at me.
“Son-of-a-bitch,” I muttered fondly under my breath. “Food’s really far from your mind. That’s a change.”
“Did you say something?”
Oh, I knew Barry heard me well enough. I joined him in the water, to the deep end of the river. After sweltering under the hot afternoon sun for hours, the cool water reaching up to my waist felt heavenly. I wasn’t surprised Barry used his supernatural speed to come up behind me and pull me into his embrace. The current pulsed around us, strong, able to sweep me away if I weren’t careful, but with Barry holding me I knew I wasn’t going anywhere.
Sighing, I leaned against him. Standing so close, I could almost hear his heart, beating slow and steady, calm and content—my heart now.
He nuzzled my neck, licking at the salt of my skin. Barry pressed his thickening dick between my ass cheeks, dragged it up and down but not pushing in. The tease.
“So much control … that’s impressive, bear.”
“We’re taking a dip, eating dinner, and once that’s over, I’m going to fucking have my way with you.” Barry reached for my cock.
The moment he closed those powerful fingers around my length, I nearly came, but managed to hold it back. Breathing ragged, I met his gaze. Surety hit me like a bag of bricks.
I could spend the rest of my life with this man.
“Fuck, baby. The way you’re looking at me drives me insane. I’m not sure I can wait.”
“Don’t then. Take me. I’m yours.”
“You want my cock in you, Zack?” Barry didn’t ask, he demanded a response to a question he already knew the answer to. He began stroking me, gliding his fist up and down my shaft with slow and deliberate movements. I knew what Barry wanted, what I needed.
“Please, baby.” I moaned when he started stroking me fast, his other arm he wrapped around my waist, effective as any restraint to ensure there was no air between our bodies.
“Tell me.”
“Fuck me, please.”
With the water, we wouldn’t need any lubricant.
He pumped my dick faster. With his cock between my ass cheeks and his hand on my prick, I knew I wouldn’t last long. “Give it to me, Zack. Your release.”
Barry pinched my tip. With a cry, I erupted all over his fingers. Before the water washed all my seed away, Barry lifted his wet fingers, sucking on each one and offering his hand to my mouth. I licked them dry, loving the taste of his fingers and me combined.
Grabbing my shoulders, Barry spun me, wrapping his arms around me before I could escape—not that I want to. Barry pried my buttocks open and I moaned when he slipped a finger through my opening. Pushing it deeper, he curled.
Eyes widening, I gasped. Barry slid a second digit in and began stretching me for his access.
“Arms around my neck,” Barry ordered.
Obeying, I locked my arms and legs around him like a lifeline, essential as breathing, and something I couldn’t do without. Barry automatically wrapped one arm around my back, supporting me. He positioned his slick dick into my waiting entrance.
“Do it, please.”
Gripping my hips, Barry pushed his way inside me.
“So big,” I whispered, groaning.
“Relax for me, Zack. Breathe.”
Hearing his soothing voice and his firm hands digging into the flesh of my hips helped. He sheathed himself completely inside me, stretching me. Deliciously impaled on Barry’s cock, I dug my nails into his skin.
“Fucking perfect,” Barry said against my ear.
Incredibly turned on, I fisted his hair and kissed him hard. “Ride me, baby.”
Barry pulled out only to slam back in. He started with slow strokes, making sure I was used to his size, before picking up speed. Sealing my lips with his, electricity coursed from his mouth to mine…traveled from his body to mine.
Shifting the angle of his thrusts, Barry hit my sweet spot. Gasping, I scratched at his skin, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Touch yourself, baby. I want us to come together.”
Keeping one hand around his neck, I reached for my dick, stroking my member in tune to Barry’s thrusts. He aimed for my prostate over and over, driving me to the edge. My head reeled and the river and woods faded away from my line of sight.
“Barry, I can’t,” I whispered.
Barry slipped his tongue between my half-parted lips. Letting out a shuddering cry, the pressure building inside me broke. I exploded, coating Barry’s chest and stomach with cum. Leaning my head against the curve of his neck, I sighed, feeling blissful. Several thrusts in me later, Barry let out a triumphant growl, shooting his load inside my waiting ass.
“Fuck,” Barry said after, still holding me close. He carried us both back on the bank.
“Don’t think we’re done,” he whispered against my ear, voice hoarse.
I reached between our bodies and gave his softening cock a squeeze. Groaning, Barry carried me back to the tent we set up earlier. He lay me down on a pile of blankets, still wet. Both of us were. He headed to where our bags sat, and pulled out spare towels to dry us off.
“Should I get back to the fish?” I asked coyly.
We both sat on the blankets, cross-legged, and I didn’t need to look down to know both of us hadn’t had our fill of the evening.
“Fuck the fish. I’m going to wear that ass out, baby, until you can hardly walk in the morning.”
Distracted by the droplets still lingering on his left collarbone, I stooped down to catch them on my tongue. Not done, I kissed my way down, taking his left nipple to suck until the bud hardened. Barry’s cock thickened and so did mine. I made a path down his six-pack abs, before reaching his prick. Barry groaned, threading his fingers into my hair. Licking away the pre-cum on his cock head, I swirled my tongue, savoring the taste of him.
When Barry pressed his member between my lips, I opened my mouth wider and began giving him the best blowjob of his life. Bobbing my head up and down, I applied careful suction with every inch I covered. Groaning, Barry tightened his grip on my hair.
“Enough, now. I want to finish in you.”
I pulled away, licking away the droplet of cum on my bottom lip.
Barry stared at me. “Fuck, Zack. You drive me crazy.”
“Love isn’t a one-way street, baby.”
“You love me?”
I felt the urge to correct him. “I’m falling fast and hard for you.”
“I fucking love you too, Zack, even if you did shoot me the first time we met.”
I sighed. “How long are you going to hold that over me?”
Not answering, Barry ran a hand up my thigh and gave my dick, already at half-mast, a squeeze. “On your back, baby.”
He scooted to one side. Lying down, I gazed at him. Some days, I still couldn’t believe this wonderful sexy were-bear belonged to me the way I was his. Settling between my legs, Barry hefted my legs over his shoulders. He pushed a digit in me, smirking.
“Still all lubed up from my cum.”
I shuddered at the territorial look in his gaze. Excitement hummed in my veins when he teased my entrance with his tip. “Ready, baby?”
“Always.”
Needing no further encouragement, Barry entered me in one swift push, all the way to the hilt. Blanketing his body over mine, I tugged him close. The scratches I’d made earlier started to heal. I made new ones as he fucked me the way he knew I wanted—fast and deep, with merciless and relentless strokes.
“I’ll be the last man who’ll ever be inside you, Zack. From now on, you’re mine.”
Christ. I nearly came at those words.
Not long ago, the thought of handing over my heart and body on a platter to another man terrified me. I did that once. Gave Hank my all as his husband, and he returned my heart in pieces. Barry though, he loved fiercely, and lived without regrets.
Bears mated for life and I was his, for better or worse. I wouldn’t tell Barry yet that I snooped into his bag before we started to catch our dinner. The black velvet box containing the two wedding bands fell out by accident … or at least that was my story. Barry though, he'd know I’d lied my ass off. Maybe he’d think of a creative punishment to make me admit to the truth. I looked forward to that, as well as spending the rest of my life with him.
Not surprisingly, I came hard, screaming out his name. Waves of pleasure assaulted my body and I held onto him, refusing to let him go. With a growl, Barry finished inside me again, collapsing against me. For the next couple of seconds, we didn’t move. We couldn’t. I stroked the powerful muscles of his back. Barry nuzzled my neck, drawing circles with his tongue on the spot where he’d eventually place his mate mark on the day we’d say our ‘I do’s’.
Don't Shoot...I'm a Werebear Page 5
